OBOURG : 4th
MIDDLESEX REGIMENT

23rd AUGUST 1914

Obourg was defended by the 4th
Battalion Middlesex Regiment on 23rd August 1914, part of 3rd Division. Two
companies were along the Mons-Conde canal, with D Company in the railway station
area and another company in reserve in some nearby woods. The Germans pressed
hard against these positions, inflicting heavy losses with artillery from the
higher positions on the opposite side of the canal. One account recalls:

“To the right of the Nimy
Bridge the 4th Middlesex were in the meanwhile putting up a no less
stubborn defence, and against equally desperate odds. Major Davey, whose
company was on the left, in touch with the right of the R.Fusiliers, had
fallen wounded early in the day, and the position at that point finally became
so serious that Major Abell’s company was rushed up from reserve to its
support. During this advance Major Abell himself, Captain Knowles and 2nd
Lieut Henstock were killed, and a third of the rank and file fell, but the
balance succeeded in reaching the firing line trenches and – with this
stiffening added – the position was successfully held for the time being.”
(First Seven Divisions p.24)

However, later in the day the line
faltered and the enemy began to outflank the battalion, which began a withdrawal
through the Boisd’Havre, the wood south of Obourg. A rear-guard was fought at
the railway station, with an unknown private firing from the station roof until
finally hit and killed.

Total casualties in the battalion this
day were: 9
officers and 453 Other Ranks.

Obourg
station was demolished in the 1980s, but a memorial to the 4th Middlesex is
still found on a brick pillar located on one of the platforms.